The Wilmingtonian., 1887-02-12
The Cashiers story.
BY ALFRED B, TozER.

debtsd TO the supernatural for my very exis-
tenoe. have never believed in the superna-
tural. I am not going to believe in 1t now
my being here, instead of at the foot of
gravestone out on the bill yonder."
We had been discussing spirituaism be-
fore the open Are in Charley's room, and had
drifted from arguments en- the condition OF
the dead to the relation Of incidents of my
sterious character influencing the lives OF
the living.
81 don't like to agure as a creature of the
mysterious" Charley continued, "because
1t seems to commit me to a belief In all sorts
of outlandish and unnatural things-to In
close me in an atmosphere altogether un-
earthly; but my only relief seems to lie in
an utter repudiston, SO you see l am in a
good deal of mess over It,"
Now, Charley is one of the most matter-of-
fact OF men. At the downtown bank whtre
he holds the position Of cashier, such an ad-
mission on his part would have produced
sensation. 10 the familiar circle where he
set that night 1t only provoked curiosity.
The curiosity he at once proceeded to salts
fy, beginning with sn abrupt question
"Do you remember the night Of the 18th
of Msvhp
No one seemed to remember, for no one
answered
'That's singular" he said, after NOM
ent's silence. ''At the same time you all
took grest interest In at least one Of the
occurrences of that night. l refer to the at
tempted bank robbery"
Certainly; we all remembered that. We
had simply failed to locate it on the date Civ
on--tho night of the 10Th of March.
"Well, when left the bank that evening""
Charley continued, II was accompanied by
Dick Munson, the paying-teller-a pale, ner-
vous little fellow, with memory for faces
and signatures almost phenomenal, and an
instructive ability to detect fraud. Westop-
psd on the bsnk-steps for a moment to speak
to customer, and then passed on up the
street together. His rooms are about half a
mile further out than mine, and when we
were kept at the bank later than usual, az
on that occasion, we frequently dined togo
ther at neat little restaurant not far from
my chambers. We did so that night, occu-
pyinx table alone In a small aloove from
which window looked out upon side
street.
awe were well through the meal, whom
Dick called my attention to the figure of a
nan standing on the outer edge of the walk,
and facing across the side street."
"Do you remember having seen that per-
son before this EVENING"" he asked.
81 glanced up carelessly, and replied that,
to the best OF my recollection, | then saw
the man for the first time.
"'Then,' he added, nervousiy, mote some
popularity in dress or attitude, SO you will
know If you see him again. Wait; the face
IL the best index. He may turn this way iu
moment
"As though influenced by our rigid scru-
tiny, the man on the walk turned almost be-
fore Dick had done speaking, and faced the
window whore we sat.
"'Don't look now," Dick said, turning his
own eyes away. He is watching us. Whes
you do look, notice the upper portion Of his
face. People of his type usually point out
their peoularities by trying to hide them. Look
sharp under the rim of the siouch hat ht
wears for some disting uishing mark.
"Whils the teller was speaking, caught
full view Of the mans face. The eye.
brows were very thick and black, and came
close together. There was no arch to speak
OF, and the general effect was that of 8
straight, uubroken line crossing the lower
forehead. 1t was facs not easily forget
tsn.
"I thought you would find something
there Dick said, when told him what
had seen. 4 was not quick enough to se'
the fellows face, but should have know
him anywhere. He stood in front OF tn
bank-steps when we stopped there tonight
and has kept us in sight nearly all the wa.
up. Unless he ia frightened of we Shal
hear from him before long.
II laughed heartily on Dicks view OF thu
matter, and nothing more was said on th
subisct until we reached my rooms. Then
placing hls hand on my arm, he exclaimed
"I can't get over what we were talkin
about at the restaurant. l can't get tina
slouohing figure on the edge of the walk ou
of my mind. Let me remind you once NOR
to look sharp for that face wherever you &c
Goodnight
"He was off before could make any r'
ply, and I went on up stairs, laughin
quietly at what considered the nervou
fears Of a tired-out and naturally suspicion
man.
"On my sitting-room table l found mo-
reminding me of an important engagemeI
in another part of the city, and left hurre'
ly.To this day the jautor insists that l left n
door unlocked, but am positive that l d
not. Not long after my departure, however,
found it aiar, looked careIessly through IL
rooms, saw that was not there, and locke
1t. Had he been more thorough in his scare
he would doubtless have saved me 3 vel
strange experience.
ait was midnight when l returned to n
rooms. The gas was burning, dimly in Il
sitting-room, but the sleeping room beyor
1t was in total darkness. Opening from Il
sleeping room was large bathroom and a
joining this was large clothos-closet.
looked the koor as usual, turned OF the ga
and went to bed, as frequently did, wit
out striking light in the sleeping room
opening the doors leading to the bathroo
and cloIet. was tired, and fell asleep II
mediately.
Chow long slept soundly cannot tie
am utterly unable to describe the first Sc
sstions experienced. Dimly, and afar, @
heard Dick Munson's voice, speaking